Montoya moving into contention for Chase crown

Ever since Juan Pablo Montoya moved from Formula One to NASCAR in 2006, many have been waiting for him to show his ability.

It's been evident from time to time but a recent hot streak is showing what Montoya can do with good equipment. Now, he's thinking of winning a Sprint Cup title. This year.

Montoya enters Sunday's race at Watkins Glen eighth in the points and among the favorites not only because of his road-racing background but because of what he's done lately. His runner-up finish at Pocono last weekend gives him eight consecutive top-12 finishes. The only driver who can top that is points leader Tony Stewart, who has nine consecutive top-10 finishes.

Montoya's run has helped him climb from 15th in the points to eighth with five races to go before the Chase. The top 12 in points qualify for the Chase.

During Monday's race at Pocono, the refrain on Montoya's radio was to consider the "big picture," i.e., making the title Chase, which he's never done.

"Let's get to the Chase and then let's have some fun," Montoya said after the race. "I think we've got some fast race cars. I think we're just starting to push... the envelope with everything we do. I think if we make (the Chase), we have a shot at this."

The relationship between Montoya and crew chief Brian Pattie is showing signs of success after they were paired last year. Pattie became Montoya's third crew chief by May of last season. Donnie Wingo was moved to another team within the organization, and then Jimmy Elledge was dismissed after a short stint with Montoya. Frustration built for Montoya after all the changes. With better performances, he's happy now.

"A year ago, when I sat down with Brian, our goal was to make the Chase this year," Montoya said.

That's why Montoya is taking a different approach into Watkins Glen this year.

"I know we can probably win the race, but if we get a top five out of there, the points for the Chase would be huge," he said.

Sadler's Twitter faux pas

A tweet after Monday's race at Pocono got Elliott Sadler in trouble.

After finishing 24th, he tweeted: "Frustrating day today. Not good early worked on it a lot and actually got it pretty good. Drove up to 11th and ran out of tires. Yep OUT!"

In another tweet from Sadler shortly after that, it included: "Yep ran out of tires. That's hard to swallow!"

A few hours later, Sadler's tone changed. He stated: "I want to tweet everyone and tell them I really upset my team earlier. My tweet was confusing to read. We had gone thru all the tires we were allowed for the day. I didn't know that in the car or I would have used different strategy. 100 percent my fault. Nobody to blame but me."

Teams were allowed to purchase up to 10 sets of tires for Monday's race.

Busch's record attempt

Kyle Busch goes for his 10th consecutive top-two finish in the Nationwide Series on Saturday at Watkins Glen.

He tied Jack Ingram's record, set in 1983, for most consecutive one-two finishes when he finished second at Iowa last weekend.

Watkins Glen entries

Forty-six cars are entered for Sunday's Sprint Cup race.

Among the road-racing specialists entered are: PJ Jones in a second Robby Gordon entry, Ron Fellows for car owner James Finch's team, Max Papis in his part-time ride, Brian Simo in car owner Tommy Baldwin's ride, Andy Lally in David Gilliland's car (Gilliland will drive a second car) and Patrick Carpentier in place of Michael Waltrip.

PIT STOPS

Jeff Gordon turned 38 on Tuesday. Kurt Busch turned 31 that same day.